The Skamania Dispatch (Page 5)

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🛑 The State Owes Klickitat $2 Million. They’re Offering Pennies - Klickitat BOCC 3/17

Klickitat is bracing for state-level shortfalls and unfunded mandates following the 2026 legislative session. From public defense lawsuits to a multi-million dollar gas tax error, the BOCC is preparing to go on the offensive. Plus: Public comment heats up, and a debate over the White Salmon Library.

🛑 Trail Parking Bans, State Tax Tensions & Drano Lake Access - Skamania BOCC 3/3 & 3/10

Early March Board of County Commissioners meetings tackled immediate local frustrations and looming state-level threats. Beneath routine approvals were major signals about recreational access, tax policy impacts, housing assistance, and long-term infrastructure maintenance.

⚡ Klickitat Hits Pause on Battery Storage, Again - BOCC Updates 3/3 & 3/10

Klickitat extended its battery storage moratorium through September 2026, advanced road and infrastructure projects, and navigated ongoing state funding uncertainty. From energy siting to staffing and spring construction, March meetings show a county balancing growth, risk, and limited resources.

📰 Skamania BOCC Update: Catching Up on Late Feb Meetings - 2/18 & 2/24

Behind routine approvals, Skamania commissioners flagged deeper challenges: looming public health funding cuts, unfilled housing board seats, and increasing strain on county staffing and services.

🏛️ March Gorge Commission Round-Up: Rules, Recovery, Climate Equity, and a New Push to Tell Their Own Story - 3/10 & 3/12/26

March brought two revealing Gorge Commission meetings: rulemaking moved ahead, disaster-recovery changes became usable, climate equity took center stage, and the agency’s new communications push quickly led to restored video archives and a more proactive public-facing strategy.

🌻 Special Report: The Packer Farm Stand Decision and the Future of Gorge Agritourism

Hood River just issued a strict final ruling on farm stands, while Oregon passes a new farm store bill. What does this mean for us in WA? Agritourism laws are shifting, officially opening a major cross-border retail market for Skamania and Klickitat growers. Here's what you need to know.

🧭 Gorge Commission Economic Vitality Committee Hears Skamania’s Case - 3/4/26

Skamania County made its case before the Gorge Commission’s Economic Vitality Committee on housing, sewer, tax base, and forest policy. But with no quorum, the committee could only discuss possible next steps, offering an early look at how it may approach the Scenic Area Act’s economic mandate.

🏠 Klickitat Feb '26 Cities Update: Water Projects, Tourism Grants & Housing Policy

From a $6M water loan in White Salmon to tourism grants in Goldendale and housing policy changes in Bingen, February meetings across Klickitat County tackled infrastructure, planning, and public safety.

🏥 Skamania County’s Board of Health - What It Does, Funding Pressures, & 3/10 Meeting Preview

Skamania’s Board of Health isn’t just about outbreaks. It touches septic, water safety, vaccinations, WIC, and even nuisance hazards. In 2025, board members openly asked “what are we doing here?” and began reshaping how the BOH works amid funding uncertainty.

💧 Sewer Pause & Water Warning: Feb '26 Skamania Cities Round-Up

Sewer penalties paused, a $500K water intake repair looming, administrator recruitment underway, and a hop-farm campground continued for revisions. February brought major infrastructure and land-use debates in Stevenson, plus foundational policy updates in North Bonneville.